What is a CT scan. How does a CT scan work. What are the uses of CT scans. What should patients expect during a CT scan procedure. What are the potential risks and benefits of CT scans. How do CT scans compare to other imaging techniques. When is a CT scan recommended by healthcare providers.

Understanding CT Scans: A Revolutionary Medical Imaging Technique

Computed Tomography (CT) scans, also known as CAT scans, have revolutionized medical imaging since their introduction. These sophisticated devices use X-rays and computer processing to create detailed cross-sectional images of the body, providing invaluable diagnostic information to healthcare providers.

How Does a CT Scan Work?

A CT scanner operates by rotating an X-ray beam around the patient’s body. As the X-rays pass through the body, they are detected by sensors on the opposite side. The data collected is then processed by a computer to create detailed slice-like images of the body’s internal structures. Modern spiral scanners can perform continuous imaging, allowing for rapid examination of large body areas.

The CT Scan Procedure: What Patients Can Expect

Undergoing a CT scan is generally a quick and painless process. Patients are positioned on a narrow table that slides into the center of the scanner. The procedure typically follows these steps:

1. Patients are asked to remove jewelry and change into a hospital gown.
2. They lie still on the scanning table, which moves through the circular opening of the scanner.
3. The X-ray tube rotates around the patient, capturing images from various angles.
4. Patients may be asked to hold their breath briefly to prevent image blurring.
5. The entire scan usually takes only a few minutes, with the newest scanners capable of imaging the entire body in less than 30 seconds.

The Role of Contrast Agents in CT Scans

In some cases, a contrast agent may be used to enhance the visibility of certain structures or blood vessels. This contrast material can be administered in several ways:

• Intravenously (IV) through a vein in the hand or forearm
• Orally as a drink before the scan
• Rectally via enema (rarely used)

Patients should inform their healthcare provider of any previous allergic reactions to contrast agents or if they have kidney problems, as these factors may influence the use of contrast materials.

Applications of CT Scans in Modern Medicine

CT scans have a wide range of applications in medical diagnosis and treatment planning. They are particularly useful for:

• Diagnosing infections
• Guiding biopsies
• Identifying masses and tumors, including cancer
• Studying blood vessels
• Examining internal organs such as the brain, chest, spine, and abdomen

The detailed images provided by CT scans allow healthcare providers to detect abnormalities that might not be visible through other imaging techniques.

Balancing Benefits and Risks: The CT Scan Dilemma

While CT scans offer significant diagnostic benefits, they also come with potential risks that patients and healthcare providers must consider.

Radiation Exposure: A Key Concern

CT scans expose patients to higher levels of radiation compared to conventional X-rays. This increased exposure raises concerns about long-term health effects, particularly the potential risk of cancer. However, it’s important to note that the risk from a single CT scan is relatively small.

Do the benefits of CT scans outweigh the potential risks? In most cases, when a CT scan is medically necessary, the diagnostic benefits far outweigh the small increase in cancer risk. However, healthcare providers should always weigh the potential risks against the expected benefits for each individual patient.

Contrast Agent Reactions

Some patients may experience allergic reactions to the contrast agents used in CT scans. These reactions can range from mild (such as nausea, vomiting, or itching) to severe anaphylactic responses in rare cases. Patients with known allergies to iodine or contrast materials should inform their healthcare provider before the procedure.

Preparing for a CT Scan: Essential Patient Information

Proper preparation can help ensure a successful CT scan and minimize potential complications. Here are some key points patients should keep in mind:

• Inform your healthcare provider of any allergies, especially to contrast materials.
• Disclose any kidney problems, as these may affect the use of contrast agents.
• If you’re taking metformin (Glucophage) for diabetes, you may need to temporarily stop the medication before receiving IV contrast.
• For certain exams, you may be asked to fast for 4-6 hours before the scan.
• If you weigh over 300 pounds (135 kg), check if the CT machine has a weight limit.

By following these guidelines and communicating effectively with your healthcare team, you can help ensure a smooth and successful CT scan experience.

Interpreting CT Scan Results: What Do They Mean?

After a CT scan, the images are analyzed by radiologists who provide a detailed report to the referring physician. Understanding CT scan results can be complex, but here are some general guidelines:

• Normal results indicate that the examined organs and structures appear typical in size, shape, and position.
• Abnormal results may show various findings, depending on the body part being studied. These could include tumors, infections, injuries, or other anatomical anomalies.

How long does it take to get CT scan results? The timeframe can vary depending on the urgency of the case and the healthcare facility’s protocols. In some cases, preliminary results may be available within hours, while a full report typically takes a few days.

It’s important to remember that CT scan results should always be interpreted in the context of a patient’s overall clinical picture. Your healthcare provider will discuss the results with you and explain their significance in relation to your specific health situation.

Advancements in CT Technology: Improving Safety and Efficiency

The field of CT imaging continues to evolve, with ongoing advancements aimed at enhancing image quality, reducing radiation exposure, and improving patient comfort. Some notable developments include:

Low-Dose CT Scans

Many modern CT scanners now incorporate low-dose technology, which can significantly reduce radiation exposure without compromising image quality. This is particularly beneficial for patients who require frequent scans or for screening purposes.

Dual-Energy CT

Dual-energy CT scanners use two different energy levels to create images, providing additional information about tissue composition and potentially reducing the need for multiple scans or invasive procedures.

Artificial Intelligence in CT Imaging

AI algorithms are being developed to assist radiologists in interpreting CT images, potentially improving diagnostic accuracy and efficiency. These tools can help detect subtle abnormalities and prioritize urgent cases for review.

How are these advancements changing the landscape of medical imaging? By improving image quality, reducing radiation exposure, and enhancing diagnostic capabilities, these innovations are making CT scans safer and more effective for patients while providing healthcare providers with increasingly valuable diagnostic information.

CT Scans vs. Other Imaging Techniques: Choosing the Right Tool

While CT scans are incredibly versatile, they are not always the most appropriate imaging method for every situation. Understanding how CT scans compare to other imaging techniques can help patients and healthcare providers make informed decisions about diagnostic procedures.

CT Scans vs. MRI

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) uses magnetic fields and radio waves instead of X-rays to create detailed images. MRI is often preferred for imaging soft tissues, the brain, and the spinal cord, while CT excels at visualizing bone structures and is faster for emergency situations.

CT Scans vs. Ultrasound

Ultrasound uses sound waves to create images and is particularly useful for examining soft tissues and blood flow. It’s often used during pregnancy or for guiding certain procedures. CT scans provide more detailed images of internal structures but involve radiation exposure.

CT Scans vs. X-rays

While both use X-ray technology, CT scans provide much more detailed, cross-sectional images compared to traditional X-rays. CT scans are better for detecting small abnormalities and can image soft tissues more effectively than conventional X-rays.

When choosing between imaging techniques, healthcare providers consider factors such as the specific diagnostic question, the body part being examined, the urgency of the situation, and the patient’s individual health status.

The Future of CT Scanning: Emerging Trends and Possibilities

As technology continues to advance, the field of CT imaging is poised for further innovation. Some exciting developments on the horizon include:

Photon-Counting CT

This next-generation CT technology promises to deliver higher-resolution images with even lower radiation doses, potentially revolutionizing diagnostic capabilities.

4D CT Imaging

By capturing multiple 3D images over time, 4D CT can provide valuable information about organ motion and function, particularly useful in areas like cardiac and respiratory imaging.

Theranostics

The integration of CT imaging with targeted therapies could allow for more personalized and effective treatment approaches, particularly in oncology.

What impact will these advancements have on patient care? As CT technology continues to evolve, we can expect to see improvements in diagnostic accuracy, reduced radiation exposure, and more personalized treatment planning. These developments have the potential to significantly enhance patient outcomes across a wide range of medical conditions.

Navigating CT Scan Costs and Insurance Coverage

The cost of CT scans can vary widely depending on factors such as the body part being scanned, the use of contrast agents, and the healthcare facility. Understanding the financial aspects of CT scans is important for patients considering this diagnostic procedure.

Factors Affecting CT Scan Costs

• Geographic location
• Type of facility (hospital vs. outpatient imaging center)
• Complexity of the scan
• Use of contrast agents
• Radiologist fees for interpreting the results

How much does a typical CT scan cost? In the United States, prices can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars, depending on the factors mentioned above. It’s important to check with your insurance provider and the imaging facility to get a clear understanding of potential out-of-pocket costs.

Insurance Coverage for CT Scans

Most health insurance plans cover CT scans when they are deemed medically necessary. However, coverage details can vary, and patients may be responsible for copayments, deductibles, or coinsurance. Some key points to consider:

• Check with your insurance provider about coverage specifics for CT scans.
• Verify if pre-authorization is required before scheduling the scan.
• Inquire about in-network providers to minimize out-of-pocket expenses.
• Ask about payment plans or financial assistance programs if you’re uninsured or facing high out-of-pocket costs.

By understanding the financial aspects of CT scans and working closely with healthcare providers and insurance companies, patients can make informed decisions about their diagnostic care while managing associated costs.

CT Scans in Special Populations: Considerations and Adaptations

While CT scans are generally safe and effective for most patients, certain populations require special considerations to ensure safety and optimal imaging results.

Pediatric CT Scans

Children are more sensitive to radiation than adults, making radiation dose reduction particularly important in pediatric CT imaging. Specialized protocols and equipment are often used to minimize radiation exposure while maintaining diagnostic quality.

CT Scans During Pregnancy

CT scans are generally avoided during pregnancy unless absolutely necessary, due to the potential risks of radiation exposure to the developing fetus. When CT is required, special precautions are taken to minimize fetal radiation exposure.

CT Scans in Elderly Patients

Older patients may have multiple health conditions or mobility issues that can affect CT scan procedures. Healthcare providers may need to adapt positioning or use alternative imaging techniques in some cases.

CT Scans in Patients with Implanted Medical Devices

Patients with pacemakers, implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs), or other metallic implants may require special protocols to ensure the safety and effectiveness of CT scans.

How do healthcare providers adapt CT procedures for these special populations? By using tailored protocols, specialized equipment, and careful risk-benefit analysis, medical teams can ensure that CT scans are performed safely and effectively across diverse patient groups, maximizing diagnostic benefits while minimizing potential risks.

As CT technology continues to evolve and our understanding of its applications deepens, this powerful imaging tool will undoubtedly play an increasingly important role in modern medicine. By staying informed about the latest developments, benefits, and considerations surrounding CT scans, patients and healthcare providers can work together to make the best use of this invaluable diagnostic resource.

CT scan: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

A computed tomography (CT) scan is an imaging method that uses x-rays to create pictures of cross-sections of the body.

Related tests include:

• Abdominal and pelvis CT scan
• Cranial or head CT scan
• Cervical, thoracic, and lumbosacral spine CT scan
• Orbit CT scan
• Chest CT scan
• CT angiogram

You will be asked to lie on a narrow table that slides into the center of the CT scanner.

Once you are inside the scanner, the machine’s x-ray beam rotates around you. Modern spiral scanners can perform the exam without stopping. There is very little noise.

A computer creates separate images of the body area, called slices. These images can be stored, viewed on a monitor, or copied to a disk. Three-dimensional models of the body area can be created by stacking the slices together.

You must stay still during the exam, because movement causes blurred images. You may be told to hold your breath for short periods of time.

Complete scans most often take only a few minutes. The newest scanners can image your entire body in less than 30 seconds.

Certain exams require a special dye, called contrast, to be delivered into your body before the test starts. Contrast helps certain areas show up better on the x-rays.

Let your health care provider know if you have ever had a reaction to contrast. You may need to take medicines before the test in order to avoid another reaction.

Contrast can be given several ways, depending on the type of CT being performed.

• It may be delivered through a vein (IV) in your hand or forearm.
• You might drink the contrast before your scan. When you drink the contrast depends on the type of exam being done. The contrast liquid may taste chalky, although some are flavored. The contrast passes out of your body through your stools.
• Rarely, the contrast may be given into your rectum using an enema.

If contrast is used, you may also be asked not to eat or drink anything for 4 to 6 hours before the test.

Before receiving IV contrast, tell your provider if you take the diabetes medicine metformin (Glucophage). People taking this medicine may need to stop temporarily. Also let your provider know if you have any problems with your kidneys. The IV contrast can worsen kidney function.

Find out if the CT machine has a weight limit if you weigh more than 300 pounds (135 kilograms). Too much weight can damage the scanner.

You will need to remove jewelry and wear a gown during the study.

Some people may have discomfort from lying on the hard table.

Contrast given through an IV may cause a slight burning feeling, a metallic taste in the mouth, and a warm flushing of the body. These sensations are normal and usually go away within a few seconds.

A CT scan creates detailed pictures of the body, including the brain, chest, spine, and abdomen. The test may be used to:

• Diagnose an infection
• Guide a doctor to the right area during a biopsy
• Identify masses and tumors, including cancer
• Study blood vessels

Results are considered normal if the organs and structures being examined are normal in appearance.

Abnormal results depend on the part of the body being studied. Talk to your provider about questions and concerns.

Risks of having CT scans include:

• Allergic reaction to the contrast dye
• Damage to kidney function from the contrast dye
• Exposure to radiation

CT scans expose you to more radiation than regular x-rays. Having many x-rays or CT scans over time may increase your risk for cancer. However, the risk from any one scan is small. You and your provider should weigh this risk against the value of the information that will come from a CT scan. Most new CT scan machines have the ability to reduce the radiation dose.

Some people have allergies to contrast dye. Let your provider know if you have ever had an allergic reaction to injected contrast dye.

• The most common type of contrast given into a vein contains iodine. If you have an iodine allergy, contrast may cause nausea or vomiting, sneezing, itching, or hives.
• If you absolutely must be given such contrast, your provider may give you antihistamines (such as Benadryl) or steroids before the test.
• Your kidneys help remove iodine from the body. You may need to receive extra fluids after the test to help flush iodine out of your body if you have diabetes or kidney disease.

Rarely, the dye may cause a life-threatening allergic response called anaphylaxis. If you have any trouble breathing during the test, tell the scanner operator immediately. Scanners come with an intercom and speakers, so the operator can hear you at all times.

CAT scan; Computed axial tomography scan; Computed tomography scan

• CT scan

Blankensteijn JD, Lely RJ. Computed tomography. In: Sidawy AN, Perler BA, eds. Rutherford’s Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 29.

Levine MS, Gore RM. Diagnostic imaging procedures in gastroenterology. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 124.

Van Thielen T, van den Hauwe L, Van Goethem JW, Parizel PM. Current status of imaging of the spine and anatomical features. In: Adam A, Dixon AK, Gillard JH, Schaefer-Prokop CM, eds. Grainger & Allison’s Diagnostic Radiology: A Textbook of Medical Imaging. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 47.

Updated by: Jason Levy, MD, FSIR, Northside Radiology Associates, Atlanta, GA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

CT scan – NHS

A computerised tomography (CT) scan uses X-rays and a computer to create detailed images of the inside of the body.  

CT scans are sometimes referred to as CAT scans or computed tomography scans.

They’re carried out in hospital by specially trained operators called radiographers, and can be done while you’re staying in hospital or during a short visit.

When CT scans are used

CT scans can produce detailed images of many structures inside the body, including the internal organs, blood vessels and bones.

They can be used to:

• diagnose conditions – including damage to bones, injuries to internal organs, problems with blood flow, stroke, and cancer
• guide further tests or treatments – for example, CT scans can help determine the location, size and shape of a tumour before having radiotherapy, or allow a doctor to take a needle biopsy (where a small tissue sample is removed using a needle) or drain an abscess
• monitor conditions – including checking the size of tumours during and after cancer treatment

CT scans wouldn’t normally be used to check for problems if you don’t have any symptoms (known as screening).

This is because the benefits of screening may not outweigh the risks, particularly if it leads to unnecessary testing and anxiety.

Preparing for a CT scan

Your appointment letter will mention anything you need to do to prepare for your scan.

You may be advised to avoid eating anything for several hours before your appointment to help make sure clear images are taken.

You should contact the hospital after receiving your appointment letter if you have any allergies or kidney problems, or if you’re taking medication for diabetes, as special arrangements may need to be made.

You should also let the hospital know if you’re pregnant. CT scans aren’t usually recommended for pregnant women unless it’s an emergency, as there’s a small chance the X-rays could harm your baby.

It’s a good idea to wear loose, comfortable clothes as you may be able to wear these during the scan.

Try to avoid wearing jewellery and clothes containing metal (such as zips), as these will need to be removed.

Before having a CT scan

Before having the scan, you may be given a special dye called a contrast to help improve the quality of the images.

This may be swallowed in the form of a drink, passed into your bottom (enema), or injected into a blood vessel.

Tell the radiographer if you feel anxious or claustrophobic about having the scan.

They can give you advice to help you feel calm and can arrange for you to have a sedative (medication to help you relax) if necessary.

Before the scan starts, you may be asked to remove your clothing and put on a gown.

You’ll also be asked to remove anything metal, such as jewellery, as metal interferes with the scanning equipment.

What happens during a CT scan

Credit:

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During the scan, you’ll usually lie on your back on a flat bed that passes into the CT scanner.

The scanner consists of a ring that rotates around a small section of your body as you pass through it.

Unlike an MRI scan, the scanner doesn’t surround your whole body at once, so you shouldn’t feel claustrophobic.

The radiographer will operate the scanner from the next room. While the scan is taking place, you’ll be able to hear and speak to them through an intercom.

While each scan is taken, you’ll need to lie very still and breathe normally. This ensures that the scan images aren’t blurred.

You may be asked to breathe in, breathe out, or hold your breath at certain points.

The scan will usually take around 10 to 20 minutes.

What happens afterwards

You shouldn’t experience any after-effects from a CT scan and can usually go home soon afterwards. You can eat and drink, go to work and drive as normal.

If a contrast was used, you may be advised to wait in the hospital for up to an hour to make sure you don’t have a reaction to it.

The contrast is normally completely harmless and will pass out of your body in your urine.

Your scan results won’t usually be available immediately. A computer will need to process the information from your scan, which will then be analysed by a radiologist (a specialist in interpreting images of the body).

After analysing the images, the radiologist will write a report and send it to the doctor who referred you for the scan so they can discuss the results with you. This normally takes a few days or weeks.

Safety of CT scans

CT scans are quick, painless and generally safe. But there’s a small risk you could have an allergic reaction to the contrast dye used and you’ll be exposed to X-ray radiation.

The amount of radiation you’re exposed to during a CT scan varies, depending on how much of your body is scanned.

CT scanners are designed to make sure you’re not exposed to unnecessarily high levels.

Generally, the amount of radiation you’re exposed to during each scan is equivalent to between a few months and a few years of exposure to natural radiation from the environment.

It’s thought exposure to radiation during CT scans could slightly increase your chances of developing cancer many years later, although this risk is thought to be very small (less than 1 in 2,000).

For more information, read GOV.UK: patient dose information.

The benefits and risks of having a CT scan will always be weighed up before it’s recommended.

Talk to your doctor or radiographer about the potential risks beforehand if you have any concerns.

Page last reviewed: 18 August 2021
Next review due: 18 August 2024

Computed tomography or test? How to “catch” the coronavirus decc175be”,”title”:”\u0424\ u0430\u043a\u0442: \u043f\u0440\u043e \u0435\u0434\u0443 \u0432 \u043f\u0443\u0442\u0435\u0448\u0435\u0441\u0442\u0432\u0438\ u044f\u0445\u0447\u0438\u0442 \u0430\u044e\u0442 \u043e\u0445\u043e\u0442\u043d\u0435\u0435, \u0447\u0435\u043c \u043f\u0440\u043e \u043c\u0430\u0440\u0448\ u0440\u0443\u0442\u044b”

With testing for coronavirus, the situation is not entirely clear: on the one hand, there are more test systems, different types of tests appear that determine whether a person is infected, whether he has been ill with the “corona” (antibody test) or not. On the other hand, there are many questions about their reliability.

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The most common testing method today is PCR, a sputum sample is taken from the patient and the presence or absence of the virus is determined. You can read more about the method in the article “How they check for coronavirus: a review of Russian (and not only) tests”. However, experts and doctors complain: up to 30% of tests give a false negative or false positive result. “With PCR testing, underdiagnosis is noted, that is, PCR gives a negative result, and the person is actually still sick with COVID-19. Therefore, when making a diagnosis, they are guided by the epidemiological history of a person, and if he had contacts with sick people, then it is highly likely that he has COVID, ”said Oleg Grishin, a pulmonologist, MD, leading expert at the Healthnet NTI Infrastructure Center.

Now the diagnosis of COVID-19 is based on the results of computed tomography and the clinical picture of the disease, since CT can detect the most dangerous complication of coronavirus – pneumonia.

CT images clearly show signs of viral pneumonia that distinguish it from other types of pneumonia – opacity in the lungs in the form of “ground glass”. This is not a specific sign, but in combination with other symptoms, it allows you to identify a threatening condition in time.

Late detection of pneumonia ends with artificial lung ventilation.

How is CT diagnostics different from tests?

A person who is not familiar with the methods of medical diagnostics may have a question: How can I finally understand whether I am sick or not, should I take a test or should I immediately run to a private clinic for a CT scan of the lungs?

We answer .

PCR diagnostics determines the presence of infection, but disease and infection are different things. Only half of those infected develop the disease. Of those who fell ill, pneumonia also does not develop in everyone, but only in every third. Half of people who test positive for COVID-19 have no symptoms at all. That is, PCR diagnostics does not detect a disease, but the presence of a virus in the body.

For the laboratory, the sick and the infected do not differ fundamentally. In an infected person, the body may be immune to this infection. At the same time, he may be a carrier for some time, or he may not be.

Oleg Grishin, leading expert of the Healthnet Infrastructure Center NTI

If a person is infected, but not sick, he cannot have pneumonia, so CT is pointless.

If a person has symptoms of SARS, then with a probability of 60-70% he will not develop pneumonia. In this case, CT will also show nothing. However, in the remaining 30%, pneumonia can occur and for its early diagnosis, the most effective method is CT.

How is coronavirus pneumonia different from normal pneumonia?

Distinctive features of viral pneumonia are considered to be a rapidly increasing course and rapidly increasing shortness of breath against the background of the usual symptoms of SARS. “Symptoms of SARS can appear for five or six days without a particularly high temperature, without any signs of a severe course, and then the condition worsens sharply. A classic example of this course of the disease is Boris Johnson, Prime Minister of Great Britain. At the beginning, he had the usual signs of SARS, during the week he was tested, PCR confirmed the presence of the virus, but Johnson was at home because he felt good. Then, within one or two days, the condition worsened and shortness of breath appeared. This is the basis for a CT scan and transfer to a hospital,” Grishin said.

Unlike bacterial pneumonia, viral pneumonia is difficult to “hear” with a phonendoscope in the first 1-2 days. This is typical for any viral pneumonia, including the influenza virus, and such a development of the disease has always been a problem for mankind.

The doctor can come to the patient, record a high temperature, but he does not hear problems in the lungs with his ear. He leaves without revealing viral pneumonia, and after a few hours the disturbances in the lungs intensify, this can be heard through a phonendoscope, but the doctor is no longer nearby.

Oleg Grishin, leading expert of the Healthnet Infrastructure Center NTI

Therefore, it is so important to consult a doctor in a timely manner if something goes wrong.

A CT scan of the chest provides an image of a patient’s lungs and helps doctors calculate the so-called “corona score” – the percentage of lung volume infected with the disease. A promising direction for diagnostics is the technology of computed tomography analysis based on deep learning algorithms. It helps to identify coronavirus pneumonia with an accuracy of about 96%, and the whole test takes 3-4 seconds. It takes 60 times longer for a human to make a diagnosis, so the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning methods in CT diagnostics is becoming critical. We will tell you more about how the world’s leading companies are introducing artificial intelligence into the daily practice of diagnosing, we will tell separately.

Covid-19 tests, lung CT and QR codes for everyone

Immediately after the November holidays, the Tomsk region will begin to live according to the new rules.

From November 8, cafes and restaurants will be open only to those who have been ill, vaccinated or tested. From November 15, such requirements will be introduced for visitors to theaters, cinemas and concert halls, museums and libraries, sports facilities, fitness clubs, hairdressers and beauty salons.

Today, you can perform a PCR test to detect coronavirus in almost any medical institution. The main difficulty is to meet the deadline if an important event is planned. And this is only three days (72 hours).

The Tomsk Regional Oncology Center can make a complete diagnosis of the coronavirus infection and its consequences. You can ask questions by phone +7 (3822) 909-509.

Covid-19 test

You can take a coronavirus test and get the result the very next day. The study is carried out in our own Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory of an expert class. In addition, upon request, a certificate with a QR code will be issued to the regular certificate. It is valid for 72 hours both for visiting public places and for trips outside the region.

Antibody testing

Blood tests for IgG and IgM antibodies are also performed in the dispensary laboratory, which guarantees a qualitative result. Unlike the PCR test (nose and throat swab), antibody tests are additional diagnostic methods.

A blood test for COVID-19 antibodies can check the stage of an infection or know if a person has already had it. Antibodies IgM (IgA) are produced on the 7-14th day from the moment of infection and say their presence indicates the acute phase of the disease. IgG antibodies appear in a person who has already been ill, or if the viral infection is asymptomatic, as well as in patients vaccinated against coronavirus infection. This type of antibody can appear in the blood as early as 10 days after infection.

However, experts warn that, unlike most other infections, in the case of coronavirus, antibodies can be detected in an unusual order. Usually, when infected, IgM antibodies begin to be produced first, and only after them – antibodies of the IgG class. With coronavirus infection in infected people, antibodies of both classes, IgM and IgG, can be detected in the blood at the same time, and in some cases IgG are detected even earlier.

In order to see the exact amount of antibodies, it is necessary to take a quantitative analysis of IgG. The answer will be in absolute numbers (BAU/ml).

CT scan of the lungs after coronavirus infection

Do I need to do a second CT scan after coronavirus and if so, when exactly? This question is of interest to many patients with identified COVID-19 and lung damage – viral pneumonia. Inflammation of the lungs is the most common complication of SARS-CoV-2 infection, and CT of the lungs is the main and most informative examination method, since it shows more than 98% of inflammatory foci, infiltrates (“ground glasses”), interstitium thickening, fibrous changes, etc.

CT of the lungs in the Tomsk Regional Oncology Center is done not only to assess lung damage, but also to monitor the recovery process after a coronavirus infection.